SUPL is a space within the Stawell Gold Mine that will be able to host a number of experiments which require such a low-background environment- one of which, of course, is SABRE South.

It was excavated from an existing cavity within the mine, enlarged to suit the desired dimensions of the overall laboratory. After excavation, the walls of the cavity were sprayed with shotcrete. A formal ground-breaking ceremony was held on April 8th, 2021, with Victoria’s Minister for Regional Development, Mary-Anne Thomas, in attendance. Significant funding was granted through the Victorian State Government ($5 million).

SUPL is at a depth of 1,025 metres below the surface, which corresponds to an overburden of rock that is equivalent to 2,900 metres of water. (The latter is a standard way for describing the amount of shielding that is afforded by locating a laboratory under some depth of rock.)

Though the ambient temperature increases with depth below the Earth’s surface, the temperatures at depth become more stable than they are at the surface. The working volume of SUPL will be air-conditioned to maintain a constant temperature, friendly both to people and the equipment, as well as being provided with filtered air to make sure the air is clean.

The lab’s overall volume is divided into smaller areas. The main ones are the Main Hall, where SABRE South and other experimental hardware will be located, and various rooms for personnel, such as kitchen, cleaning and rest areas, and smaller experimental areas.

Data connectivity is extremely important to the operation of SABRE South and SUPL. Up to ground level, this will be provided for as part of the mine’s own network, with other services taking over above ground. Some data-processing will be carried out on site, which will reduce the amount of data needed to be transferred from SUPL to Melbourne.